There were times when the Phoenix High School varsity girls' basketball team proved it compete at a  higher level. Unfortunately for the Pirates, they just weren't enough of those surges at the Subaru Holiday Classic Tournament.

The Pirates (4-8 on the season) fell to eventual champion Crater (71-37), St. Mary's (49-36) and Eagle Point (26-16) in the annual event at Cascade Christian High School.

PHS trailed Crater 17-12 before the Comets rolled away with a big second quarter. Phoenix got off to a fast start against St. Mary's before the Crusaders took charge of the contest. Against Eagle Point, offense was at a premium for both teams. Phoenix managed only four second-half points in the contest.

Maggie Carrillo was voted Phoenix's most outstanding player in the tournament.  The senior guard averaged seven points, four rebounds and three assists per game. Delani Parent and Josie Bolstad also averaged seven points per contest.  Bolstad recorded a 14-point, 12-rebound game against St. Mary's. 

The Pirates return to action Friday when they take on Elmira in a 4 pm game at Mazama in the Skyline-SkyEm Crossover tournament.